Cream Tea Diaries – Gliffaes

This entry is more of a tribute. The lady who inspired the Cream Tea Diaries blogposts, my Grandma-in-law, passed away suddenly in July at the grand age of 90. I promised to keep our Afternoon/Cream Tea visits in her memory. While on holiday in Wales we were recommended a great place called Gliffaes for Afternoon Tea and it didn’t disappoint.

Gliffaes is known for its fly fishing and is set in the beautiful uplands of Brecon Beacons to the west of Crickhowell by the River Usk . It just so happens to be the only 4* hotel in the National Park. The long driveway to the hotel gave the impression of being in the middle of nowhere.

Afternoon Tea at Gliffaes is open to both residents and non residents. Rather than the traditional tea being served at the table it was more of a help yourself job, though there was always a waitress on hand to pour tea and help out. There were various rooms we could dine in and we settled in the conservatory where we had superb views down the valley. Grandma would have loved it and all the rooms were easily accessible.

To start with we worked our way through some dainty sandwiches that naturally had the crusts cut off. With a choice of cucumber, tomato, smoked salmon and egg mayonnaise I could have quite happily have filled up with the egg mayonnaise sandwiches. They were delicious. After the sandwiches came the scones. The big sultana scones were warm from the oven and served with jam and proper clotted cream. This brought up the usual debate of do we serve it the Cornish way or Devonshire way. Laid out on the main table was plate after plate of miniature cakes including:

Candied orange chocolate tiffin – not a traditional but a welcome addition to Afternoon Tea

Banana cake

Carrot cake

Rich chocolate brownies

Flapjacks

Chocolate cake

Raspberry sponge

While we endeavoured to sample every cake on the table it didn’t happen, however every cake we did eat was good. It fair to say we came away full and didn’t need anything for dinner that night. At £12 a head I though it was very reasonable. Beautiful location and fabulous food. The staff were friendly, low-key and there when you needed them. If we hadn’t just come back from holiday I would be seriously considering the great value 4 Day Explore Wales offer.

What a lovely way to remember her. I am sure she would have loved it. I lost my Mum and by way of remembering her on her birthday my sister and I have a little afternoon tea. This year we did it at the hut but it was more G&T than a cup of tea! She would be rather ok with that. Best regards, The Beachhut Cook